Support and brace for table legs



W. F. STREICH.

SUPPQRT ND BRACE FOR TABLE LEGS.

man JULY 13.1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEE`I l.

MMM A* SM Dec. 19, 1922. 1,439,453.

. W. F. STREICH.

SUPPORT AND BRACE FOR TABLE LEGS.v FILED 1uLY13.1921.

Dec. 19, 1922. 1,439,453.

K W. F. STREICH.

SUPPORT AND BRACE FOR TABLE LEGS.

msn Jun/13.1921. s SHEETS-sum a.

Patented Dec. i9, i922.

narran srarss earner entice.

VJILLIAM F. STREICH, OF PHILADELPHlA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPORT AND BRACE FOR TABLE Application filed July 13,

To all fr/vom 2i may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM F. STREIGH, a citizen of the United States, and resident o" Philadelphia, county ot, Philadelphia,

State oit Pennsylvania, have invented certhe under surface of the table top Jiior trans# portatioii, and means for strengthening and steadying the partsy when assembled Jfor transportation, whereby the accessories secured thereto will be held more securely; but vit also includes other novel features which will be more fully understood from the tollowing description and claims taken with the accompanying drawings.

vln the drawings:

liigure 1 is a transverse section through .the table top looking towards the end legs which are in place but partly broken away. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the table top, bottom side up, the lacing leg brackets forming the sockets and the legs secured in place along the lower surface ot the table top ready for transportation.

Figure 3 is anenlargedvertical section on the line 3 3, Figure 1, longitudinally or the table through a corner leg bracket anda leg therein partly broken away.A

Figure 4 is across section ot the bracket and leg in operative relation, taken on the lined-act Fig. 1.

" Figure 5 isa cross section on the line 5---5 of Figure 2 with the table top broken away at the sides.` i

ligure" (5 is a perspective view ot one or' the leg brackets or sockets, the adjacent portion of the top being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper end of a leg which enters and engages the socket. f

Figure 8 is a perspective view ol' the table, bottom side up, and its parts, the legs being removed. .f

Figure is a lace view" olf a metal blank 1921. Serial No. 484,431. i

cut to form for making a corner leg holding bracket or socket.

Figure 10 is a similar view of the blank shape ot the upper end of a leg betere it is bent to form; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the means on the bottom of. the table :tor receiving rthe legs' when ready for transportation, strengthening the connection. y

Fig. 12 is a cross section tlirough the legs and strengthening bar inl folded positionon the under surface of the table and also the adjacent portions of the table and supporting bars showing the preferred structure and method oit folding the legs and attached parts,

Fig. 13 is a lsection on the linel-lf of Figure 12; f

Fig. 14: is a perspective view of the upper kend orsocket section of a table leg made of wood having therein a sheet metal socket o the general type shown in Figure 2; t Fig. 15 isa perspective view of the upper end oit a wooden table leg having a reduced portion carrying a` sheet metalfeXtension having a formy similar to that shown in Figure 7 adaptedto enter and engage the socket shown in Figure 14; and y f Fig. 16 is a back view of the parts shown in Figures 14e and r15 inoperative engage ment. f ln the embodiment ot' the invention shown for purposes ol illustration, the table top 10 may be made of wood or any other suitableniaterial. and as set forth in my prior patent above mentioned is made ot such size and shapeA as to be insertedin a trunk or travelling case by a' sliding action like a drawer. F our sheetnietal brackets 11 forming-leg sockets yare secured to the under sur-y face of the table near the corners and the upper ends of the legs 12 lit in said sockets and in operativeposition extendl downward at right angles to the table top and are releasably heldin position by interengaging parts of said bracket and upper end of the leg.A Each bracket is iormed of'a single piece of sheetmetal cut and bent to shape,

and the socket thus formed is rectangularr in section and has an open end to receive the lug and one open side being channel shaped in section. Its specific forni is shown in Figure 6, and the sheet metal blank from which it is made is showninFigure 9. It includes the vertical hack portion 13 constituting the `233 being rut at vallel lines join the if-shaped lines. "lhe base portion of the channel which has considerable width, and the side portions '1l and of less width at right angles to the back portion, and each portion has an integral flange 16 bent outwardly at its Iupper edge to lit against the under surface of the table top and each flange is perforated to perinit the use of screws to rigidlyfasten it to the top. The brackets are AsoV arranged that the open side of the socket in one faces the open side of the corresponding socket at the other end of the table. so that there are 4a pair of sockets on each side of the table facing each other longitudinally of the table, for a purpose later described. The back or base portion 13 is cut on vertical parallel lines 17, 18, from the inner` edge of flange 1G at the top line for a short distance andthen on V-shaped lines 19 and i2() down to. a rectangular extension 21, notches the point where the par lower end of the tongue or flap thus produced is cut olf on the line @hand the inaterial along` the edges 19 and 2() is folded inward on lines at the bottom of notches 22,

23, parallel to those edges leavingv inclinedy `groove like recesses between the folded edges and the back portion 13 having a. width substantially equal to the thickness of the metal of the leg forming the inclined parts and 2G shown in Figure G for interlock'- ing with a portion of the leg by a tongue and groove connection. The tongue or tlap is bent inwardly at right angles to the back portiononthe line 27 at its upper end, and then downwardly at right angles on the line 2S, forming a top ledge or abutment 29 and a downwardly extending interlockinp flange 30 spaced inwardly from the plane of back portion 13 a suflicient distance to permit the end wall of the leg to pass in behind it when the leg is in folded position as hereinafter explained.

rlhe legs 12 are made of sheet metal and are channel shape-d insection with the base of kthe channel much wider than the sides, and they are of such size in section as to lit the inner surfaces of the base 13 and end wall 1e and 15 of a bracket, or, in other words, to closely fit in the socket when in position to support thetable. Each leg' is made of a vsingle piece of sheet I netal and bent to shape, vthe forni of the blank at the upper end being shown in igure 10 and the finished upper endo'fthe leg; being shown in Figure 7. In forming the leg from the blank shown in Figure 10, the sides of the blank are bent to positionsat right angles to the center portion on the parallel longitudinal dotted lines and 32, but before the bending the material at the end between the Von the lines shown.

sides is cut away y y This leaves parallel side stripV extensions 33`and 34, the inner edgesof which 'are parallel tothe fold lines 31, 32, but slightly nearer the margins of the blank. @n the inner facing` of each of these side strips or tabs near the bottoni a laten ally extending' section of material is left haring a straight line horizontal top and a straight line inner edn'e extending down to the dotted line 535 where the extensions or tabs and Bel are bent at riO'ht angles to the body of the blank as later explained. This inwardly extending section of the inaterial is cut outwardly on the fold line 35, beyond the fold lines 51 and 32,` a distance equal to the thickness of the nieta] lemiinil inivardly projecting tabs 36,31'. dit points inwardly of thefold lines $31 and 32 a die;r tance substantially equal to the height of tabs 36-37 the material is. removed between vertical parallel lines 23S-39 and then between inwardly inclined lines Lttl-11,7 inakinn a al-shaped opening` or Vacant space rorresponding in shape and size to that heretofore described as formed in the leg' bracket. fit the bottoni of the v there is an integral upwardly extending straight sidedstrip of metal 12. .in shapii b' the legi and its upper end yfrom this blank, the sides including the extensions 38 and 34 are bent inwardly at right angles to the center portion on the lines 32, making the channel shaped in section. rl'he tabs 36 and 37 are bent at right angles to extensions 34 on the lines parallel to lines 31 and but on the outer vside thereof a distance equal to the thickness of the blank. The rextensions and 311 are then bent inwardly towards each other on the line 35 until they are in horizontal position with theirends slightly lappingn forming the end wall 113 of the leg and with the tabs 3G and 3T fitting; against the inner face of the central portion of the leg` out to theI lines 13S and 39j yThe orei'laixngingr ends of ef;- tensions -ll. lll, may be bra/lcd or welded together and it will be noted that the rear mare-iu of the top wall` sl-l o the ler; between the end lines 38 and 3,9 of the rutlwfajy portion is set inwardly, leaving an opening' at the edge ofthe end wall, 'The upwardly ei;- tending` strip is bent rearwardly cr outwardly from the rear wall. cf th:x leo; and then upwardly at right ai les, as shown in Figure T, thus fcrniingr a projecti spring; or snap catch with a. straight edge lower contact shoulder dit. The legrthus ji'orineal has the center or back portion and the sides 16, 17, and is channel shaped in section, and thus constitutes a channel bar. ln inserting the uppery end of the leg in the socket to sust-ain the table, it is movedin endwise with its sides in contact `with sides 14 and 15 of the bracket and its back portion in contact with the rear wall 13 of the bracket and in this movement the J -shaped upper edges 40 and 11 of the back portion 45 will pass under the edges of flanges 25, 26 in the slots which will lock them against outward movement, and because ofthe taperinf` contact the weight ot the table and articles on it .will tend to tighten and strengthen t .e connection by .wedgling action. During this upwai'd n'ioveinent ot o'ii said opening7 thus automatically locking the leg'against longitudinal reniovel. r)The cutaway portion oli the end wall e8 between 3S and 39 is lsinlicient to permit it to pass up along the outer side of vtlange 3() ont the socket. The strength and lit et the iianges 25 and 26 are suchthat the legi can not accidentally-be turned outward to release catch Ll2 'from engagement, but in order to ciilec't that release, the catch itself must be clepressed; rlhis structure 'furnishes very sirnple and etlicient means for easily and quickly securing the legs to the table in operative position and tor removing them when desired. v

Another important phase ot the invention relates to the structure and combination ot parts whereby the parts ot' the table and other articles may be brought together in compact, convenient form for transportation7 and whereby `they will be sustained in proper position and relation so securely and 1 strongly as to avoid possible damage or accident in transportation. To this end,the two facing legs on one side of the table are iliade olf differentV sizes in their` channel shaped section, whereby one may 'lit ,within the other longitudinally, and it Jollows of Vcourse that the brackets or sockets tor those legs litl'cr eorifesimndiugly in sectional `size but otherwise all legs and all sockets are alike. lu preparing tor transportation the legs are removed 'from their sockets in pairs and together with strengthening means. iii

the torni ot a Iiller preferably consisting of a bar et wood or other similar material of such size and shape as to lit in and till the channel in the smaller leg are folded together closely fitting) longitudinally and are bolted to the tabletop on the line between the sockets from which the vlegs were 'taken and cross bars 'for carrying. various 'ollice ac-` cessories are placed acrossthe Yfolded legs and held in place by the sainebolts which secure the tolded legs to the table top. The preferred structure rot' the legs and bar for use in tolding and the preferred arrangement of parts when folded are shown inr rFigures l2 and 1.3, but since Figures 2 and 8 more clearly and completely show the arrangement ot parts when folded tor transportation we will in the interest ot clearnesslirst describe the operation with reifen ence to themF ends ot the recess.

- The legs et' a pair are removed trom their sockets and a bar 5() wood or simil ar inaterial is placed in and along the channel of `the smaller-*leg 52 and it closely lit-s that channel and extends to points ynear its ends, as shown in Figure 2. ln this torni or arrangement the open side ot the channel faces downward 'tow rdsthetablatliebar 50 reston the` table and the other larger leg tting over and laterally 'embracing the siiiallerlegQ withits open channel side also facing the table. ln bringing the legs together in this way their ends which when vertical to support the` table entered' the socket-s rlongitudinally new are horizontal.

and enter the sockets laterally through their open sides and the end wall i3 et each leg passes down behind the yflange 230 ot the socket thus interlocking the parts against end" movement and the sides otl the sockets prevent lateral movement asshown in Fig` ure 2,' A series of bolts 5e having countersunk heads in the table top pass through corresponding openings in the table, bar 50, and legs 5,2-53 and by means ot thumb nuts securely and rigidlyclainp and hold the parts in position. The closely fitting bar or strip 50 serves to protect the bolts .and a strengthening` and steadying inea-iis and prevents looseness and thereby altordsthe resiliency necessary to prevent damage from. violent jars in transportation, and" this is important in devices ot this kind because of the peculiar strains to which the parts vare subjected; Cross bars or supporting strips are secured across two pairs et folded .leaves its upper tace exposed; The leg 53 *made ot the larger channel bar is thus placed over the iiijst leg and bar with 'its sides extending approximately to thesui'-` .tace oi' the table. ln this torni in order to supply additional means for holding the cross Abars Ysecurely in position thehbottoni wall and adjacent portions of the sides ot' leg 58'? 'o pressed inwardly at 5T torniing a depiession or socket having afdepth and length substantially equal to the thickness and width 'ot Abar 55 whereb)7 said bar may enter' it' and be prevented troni side movement by contact with the walls at the rlhe top edges ot the sides oit leg 52 are cut away to torni' notches oit such Size aste receive the depressed 'poriio iis

tions of leg and the upper surface of bar is similarly cut away for the saine purpose.` The bolts 5% pass through all the parts as in the form shown in Figures Q and 5 and the folded parts are arranged on the table surface in the same way with the ends of the legs in their sockets and their end walls linterlock with flange of the socket. lt will be noted bj; reference to Figure T that the eut away portion of the base of the leg` channel at its end permits the flange SO on the socket to pass-into the channel when the end of the channel lowered into the socket closed side down.' lt will be noted that in this forni the two channel bars constituting the legs entirely surround the bar and enclose it laterally and are in close Contact with it on all sides one surface being in contact with the bottom wall of leg and the other thre'e in contact with the three inner surfaces of leg This with the socket connection to the cross bars produces a very strong supporting means having all of the resilienfffy necessary to the best results.

Instead of using` a continl'ious strength ening bar as heretofore stated l may use a series of strengthening blocks 56 shown resting on the table top in Figure 1 1. They are placed in the smaller leg in folding just as the bar is except that one is preferably Aplaced at `each point where a bolt passes through and it passes through an opening through the block.

Figures 11i, 15 and 16 illustrate a structure in which the channel iron automatically acting and locking connection between the leg and socket substantially as heretofore described is applied to the wooden legs of' tables. I ln the form shown the wooden leg 58 is reduced in size on three sides at its upper end producing an extension rectangular in section with one face flush with one face of the leg and the other three offset inwardl)T from the faces forming` a shoulder 59. This extension is of such size as to lit in the lower end of a channel iron sheetmetal construction 6G such as illustrated in Figure 7 heretofore described, the relative lengths of the extension and sheet metal sections being such that the top of the extension will be below the snap hook del as illustrated in Figure 15 in dotted lines. Screws or other fastening' means 6l may pass through member 60 and secure it in place on the extension. A'short wooden member 62 corresponding generally in section to the upper end of leg 58 but having a longitudinal channel 63 in one face of such size as to receive a sheet metal leg socket 64 corresponding to the form shown in Figure 6 and heretofore described except that the top flanges 16 are omitted. This sheet metal socket is securely fastened in place in the channel groove 63 by suitable means and the wash socket member is secured at its upper end Figure 14: to the under surface of the table by any suitable known means. The wooden leg and wooden socket are brought together in the same way as heretofore described in connection with the all metal parts of VFigures G and 'T and having substantially kthe saine sheet metal parts they will automatically interlock in the saine way do the parts shown in `lligures 6 and l. ln order to release the automatic catch all, illustrated most clearly in Figure 7, and permit the leg to be withdrawn from the socket a hole 65 is bored in member (5'2 in line with that catch so that an implement may pass through the opening and press the catch inward out of engagement with the edge 2l of the metal socket;

The shoulder 59 on the leg will .fit against the lower end of the wood member 62 when the leg is in operative position and the outer surfaces of the leg and member will be in the same continuous planesthus producing` a neat appearance.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the structural details of the embodiments shown for purposes of illustration beyond what is defined in the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a table top of a socket open at its outer end and on one side secured thereto, a leg 'so formed as to enter said socket through its open end and to lit the innerportion of said socket laterally, interengaging cooperating means on the adjacent parts of said socket and leg so arranged as to come into operative relation and prevent lateral movementl of said leg in said socket out through the open side thereof by and through the inward movement of the leg into the socket a predetermined distance,

4and an automatic catch for then lookin@f the leg to the socket against longitudinal outward movement.

2. In ardevice of the class described, the combination with ya table top of a sheet metal bracket,' channel shaped in section. secured at one end to said top and projecting therefrom forming a leg receiving Socket, a sheet metal table leg of channel form in section entering longitudinally and fitting said socket, means on the tting base portions of .said bracket and leg to lock the leg in said socket against outward movement through its open side en'ibodying parts of the metal of which these portions are formed projecting therefrom on the facing sides and each projection on one portion being adapted to enter openings in the other portion and operatively engage that lportion at a predetermined point of the inward movement of the leg in the soci-et with its base in contact with the base of the socket.

3. ln a device of the class described, the combination with, a table top of a. sheet metal bracket, channel .shaped in section, secured at one end to said top and projecting therefrom forming a receiving'soeket, a sheet metal table leg oi channel 'form in section entering longitudinally and tting said socket, means on the {itting base portions of said bracket and leg to lock the leg in said socket against outward movement through its open side and to automatically but releasably lock it against longitudinal withdrawal, embodying parts of the metal of which these portions are formed projecting therefrom on the tacing sides and each projection on one portion being adapted to enter openings in the other portion and operatively engage that portion at a predetermined point oic the invvarfL movement oit the leg in the socket with its base in contact with the base of the socket.

4. ln a device oit the class described, the combination with a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in cross section of such length as t0 constitutea leg socket with an open end and an open side, of a sheet metal leg channel shaped in cross section of such size as to longitudinally enter the open end of said socket and closely lit it with its base portion in contact with the base portion of said socket, tongue and grooveinterengaging parts 'formed on and from said base portions of said leg and socket so constructed and related that they will interlock and prevent said leg from moving out through the open side oi said socket by and through a predetermined longitudinal movement of said leg in said socket.

ln a device of the class described, the combination with a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in cross section of such length as to constitute a leg `socket with an open end and one open side of a sheet metal leg channel shaped in cross section of such size as to longitudinally enter the open end of said socket and closely fit it with its base portion in contact with the base portion of said socket, tongue andgroove interengaging parts formed on and from said base portions of said leg and socket so constructed and related that theyy will interlock and prevent Said leg from moving out through the open side of Asaid socket by and through a predetermined longitudinalmovement of said leg in said socket, the interengaging parts being so related or inclined to each other and the line ot movement as to cause a wedging action.

' 6. 1na` device olf the class described,kthe combination with a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in crossl :sect-ion of such length as to constitute a leg socket with an open end andone open side, oft a sheet metal leg channel. shaped in cross section of such size as to longitudinally enter the open end ot lsaid socket and closely fit it with its base portion in Contact with the base portion ot said socketA` tongue and groove interengaging parts formed on and from said base portions ot said leg and socket so constructed and related that they will interlock and prevent said leg vfrom moving out through the` open side olf said socket by and through a predetermined longitudinal movement of said leg in said socket, and a releasable catch on one portion so constructed as to auto niatically extend across a rearwardly facing part onthe line of its movement of the other portion, thus locking the leg in the socket against being withdrawn longitudinally;

7. 1n a device of' the class described, the on'il'iination with a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in cross section of such length as to constitute a leg socket with an open end and one open side, the baseportion ot the channel being cut away throughont its central portion at one end leaving racing edges extending downwardly from that end at an incline to each other in V ,torni with a short transverse straight edge at the bottom, the material along thel edges of the V being bent inwardly or the socket to a position vsubstantially parallel to the base of the socket but spaced therefrom a predetermined distance forming branching grooves, and sheet metal leg ehannnel shaped in cross section adapted to enter longitudinally and closely fit saidk socket with its channel base portion in contact with the base portion of the socket, the lcentral portion or' the channel base of said leg at its end being ycut away leaving facing edges inclined towards each other in V form adapted to enter and lit the recesses formed by the bent over edges in the base portion oi: the socket bracket.

S. 1n a device of the class described, the combination with a sheet metal lbracket channel shaped in cross section of such length as to constitute a leg socket with an open end and onel open side the base portion ot the channel being cut away throughont its central portion at one end leaving facing edges extending downwardly from that end at an incline to each-other in V forni' withv a short transversestraight edge at the bottom, the material along the edges ofthe V being bent inwardly of the lsocket to .a position substantially parallel to the of the socket but spaced therefrom a predetermined distance -i'fforming branching grooves, and a sheet metal leg channel shaped in cross section adapted' to enter longitudinally and closely lit said socket with `its channel base portion inr contact with the base portion of the socket, the central portion .of the channel baseof said leg at its endybeing cut away leaving facing edges inclined towards each other in V forrn adapted to enter and fit the recesses formed bythe bent over edges in the base portion of the socket bracket and an integral yielding spring catch member with a downwardly facing shoulder projecting outwardly frein the baseoportion of the leg at the point of the V formed by the inclined edges and adapted to automatically project across the straight line edge at the point of the V in said socket when it passes that edge, thus locking the leg in the socket against longitudinalrnovenient outward.

in a. device of the class described, the combination with a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in section forming a leg socket having an open end and one open side, laterally extending flanges at one end for securing it to a table, a flange of substantial width cut from the base portion or wall of said channel between its edges at said end and integrally connected along one edge to the end iiange between its ends bent inwardly of the socket a fixed distance at its connecting edge and then downwardly ifiarallel to the base wall of the socket, and a sheetnietal leg channel shaped in section .of such size and shape as to fit and engage said socket when inserted longitudinally and having an end wall connecting the sides adapted to enter behind the downwardly ertending flange in the base portion of the socket channel and thus lock the leg against longitudinal movement when it is in folded position along the under surface of the table with its end extending into said socket from the open side, the edge of the end wall at the back being cutaway between its ends suilicienth,v to permit the leg to move upwardly in the socket in upright position without interference from said downwardly extending flange in the socket. v

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination with a table top, of sockets rsecured to the under side thereof nea-r the corners7 each having an open side facing' the corresponding socket at the opposite end of thetable, legs inthe forni of channel bars so constructed as to detachably lit in and engage said sockets to support the table when in upright position, and each pairof legs for a pair of facing sockets beino' of such form and relative size that one of t ose legs may in folded position lie with its open side eitherl up or down along the surface of the table in the line of the facing socket with one end extending intovand fitting laterally its socket'through the open side thereof and the other leg of the pair be folded to closely over and on said first mentioned ieg with its end extending into its socket and releasable means for securely fastening said legs to said top in folded position.

ll. In a device of the class described, the combination with a table top, of sockets secured to the under. side thereof near the corners, each Ihaving an open side facing the corresponding socket at the opposite end of the table, legs in the forni of channel bars so constructed as to detachablyfit in and engage said sockets to support the table when in upright position and each pair of legs for a pair of facing sockets being of such `forni and relative size that one of those legs may in folded position lie kwith its open side up along the surface of the table in the line of the facing socket with oneend extending into and laterally fitting its socket through the rkopen side thereof, and the other leg of the pair may be folded to closely fit over and on said first mentioned leg with its end extending into and laterally fitting its socket, cooperating nieans on said legs and 'in said sockets preventing said legs frein n'ioving longitudinally out of said sockets when folded, and releasable means for securely fastening said legs to said top in folded position.

12in a device of the class described, the

combination ywith a sheet metal bracket channel shaped in cross section of such length as to constitute a `leg socket with an open end and one open side, of a sheet metal leg channel shaped in cross section of such size as to longitudinally enter the open end of said socket and closely litit with its base portion in contact with the base portion of said sockethaving an end wall, tongue and groove interengaging parts fornied on and froin said base portions of said leg and socket so constructed and related that they will interlock and prevent said leg frorn socket by and through a predetermined longitudinal movement socket, anda flange formed from the base portion of the channel extending `from the bottoni of the socket toward its open end parallel to the inner face of the base portion spaced a distance inward sufficient to enable the end wall of the leg to enter behind it when the leg is folded along the table with its end entering the socket from the open side.

13.' rIna device of the class described, the combination with a table top of sheet nieta-l sockets channel shaped in section, each secured at one end to the lowersurface of the table, the yopen side of each socket facing the `open side of a socket at the other end of the table on the same side, a sheet inetal leg channel shaped in section for `each socket of such sizeasto fit longitudinallyin its socket and having an end wall, interengaging means on the meeting base walls of the socket and leg channels for automatically v,holding lthe leg against lateral niovenient out through the open side, a flange formed on the base portion of the socket channel extendingk parallel to* that lmoving out through the open side of said of said leg in saidV l l il racing `sul-freiertlv to permit the end wall of the leg to enter behind it When the leg is folded against the table surface with its end in the sockets, the cross sectionaly size of the sockets of each pair and of the legs for those sockets being such that one leg will fold on and over the other, tting itclosely transversely, and means for rigidly securing said legs in folded position to the table top and for securing across them means for attaching other articles in .fined post tion. i y

ll. ln a device of the class described, the

r combination With a table top, of leg sockets near the corners, two pairs of legs, channel shaped in section, each pair adapted to detachably enter longitudinally and engage the sockets along one side of the table and to be folded together one closely fitting over and on the other along the surface of the table in the line of the sockets, strengthening and steadying means so shaped as to closely fit transversely in the channel of the inner leg When folded, and means for rigidly securing and clampingtogether said folded legs, strengthening and steadying means, and table top.

l5. ln a device of the class described, the

combination with a. table top, of leg sockets near the corners, two pairs of legs, channel shaped in section, each pair adapted to detachably enter longitudinally and engage the sockets along one. side of the table and to be folded together one closely litting over and on the other along the surface of the table in the line of the sockets, strengthening and steadying means consisting of a bar having length slightly less than the distance between facing sockets of a pair so shaped as to closely lit transversely in the channel. of the inner ieg when folded and ineans for rigidly securing and clamping to` gether said folded legs, strengthening and steadying means, and table top.

le. ln a device of the class described, the combination With a table top, of leg sockets at the corners thereof channel shaped in section with their open sides facing each other in pairs, two pairs of channel shaped in section, each pair adapted to detachably enter longitudinally and engage a facing pair of sockets to support the table and to be folded together one overlapping and closely fitting over and on the other along the surface of the table with one end entering its socket through its open side,

cooperating means in said socket and on the end of its leg locking the leg. against longitudinal removal when folded, strengthening and steadying means so shaped as to closely lit transversely in the channel of the inner leg when folded and means for rigidly securing and clamping together in position said folded legs, strengthening and steadying and table top.

l?. ln a device of the class described, the combination with a table top, of leg sockets near the corners, tivo pairs of legs, channel shaped .in section, each pair adapted to detachably enter longitudinally and engage the sockets along one side of the table and to be folded together one closely fitting over and on the other along the surface of the table in the line the sockets., one end of each extending into a socket through its side strengthening and steadying means so shaped as to closely fit transversely in the channel of the inner leg when folded, aigu means for rigidly securing and clamping together said folded legs, strengthening and steadying means, and table top.

1S. A, folding table comprising a top. ieg sockets secured thereto, legs adapted to en ter said sockets longitudinally to support the table and to enter them laterally when in folded position parallel to the table, cooperating ineans on said legs and sockets for automatically but releasably locking the legs in the sockets against longitudinal or lateral movement when inserted longitudinally and cooperating means at the' end of said legs and bottoms of said sockets for automatically locking the ends of the legs in said sockets against side increment or end increment when the legs are folded. with their ends in the sockets.

19, ln a device ofthe class described the combination with a table top of a pair of channel-shaped legs therefor one closely lit-` space in said chamber between said legs With its surfaces in contact with the inner facing surfaces of said leg'channels and extending throughout the majorv portion of their length, releasable means clamping said legs together on said bar and to the table top with the base of one of said channel legs in surface contact with the table top and sockets on said top for said legs.

ln a device of the class described the coinbil'iation with a table top of a pair of channel-shaped legs therefor one closely litt within thelongitudinal channel of the other with its open side edges at the bottom of the channel and its base portion closing the open side of said other channel leg, thus forming in effect a laterally enclosed chamber rectangular in section, a strengthening har of Wood in and substantially filling` the space in said chamber between said legs with its surfaces in contact with the inner facing surfaces of said leg tending throughout the otthcir length. the ease por-y l g 'whim is in @tese snrfziee Contact ,ic trahie top through the bar, through Y l i y U' and through bar in the depression and rezfded nuts clamping the Ariz-e or the class described the e l. i ation vv'ith a teole top ot a pair or" 'Fucine channel-shaped leg` sockets of dlt- 'ferent sies in section secured to seid top near its ends, e channelfshnped leg on said top with one end entering' from the open side and the socket oi smaller size and extending' therefrom to'o'ards the other socket the open side of the channel facing' outward 'troni the top, a strengthening` and steadyino bnr fitting in and substantially filling' the channel of seid ieg from a point near one end to a point near the other end7 a second channel-shaped legi' of larger seetional than the irst closely fit-ting over and laterally enclosing said first leg` and bnr longitudinally with one :face of said. bar in Contact with the base port-ion of its channel, one end or' said second leg' itting '7n its socle-et. bolts having conntersnnk heads in said top passing` through said top, legs and bar and having' screw threaded nuts for clamping them together.

22. ln s device of the class described,

the combination with :i "nble top, of leg liefs near the Corners, two pairs of legs, l shaped in section, erich pei?? adapted y enter` longitudinally and enlzets along one side or the table :t olded together one closely fittingr over und en t 1e l along' the surface ot table in the line el' the sockets with the )t the channel ot' the inner leg in snreontaet with the table top,Y a strengthenbin' laterally enclosed bv said folded Y end closely fitting? th the base ot he enter har oi both Yfolded pairs havingintervals the said notches being j el 'ned on the two pairs., snp- ,tending across both jfolded resting' in :i pair of aligned screw threed bolts foreach pair l v"h and clamping together said two legis and supporting bers.

a device of the class described, the combination with a table top'o a leg bracket secured thereto having` a socket open at one side end embodying a channel shaped sheet metal member, a table leg' having' .a

chennel shaped heet metal partet its upper en A entering' loi Vtrflinnlly and iitting said channel shaped sheet metal socket member` means on the litting' base portions oi the ehennels ot' seid bracket and leg to lock the leg' in said socketl against outward movenient lirough its open side embodying parts ot the metal ot which these portions are Aformed pri'ijecting` therefrom on the facing` sind and each projection on one portion being;- ndnpted to enter openings in the other portion and operatively engage that portion ate predetermined point of the inward movement of the leg` in the socket with its base in Contact with the base ofthe socket.`

ln testimony Whereo'tZ I hereunto a'HiX my si gn atn re.

WILLIAM F. STREICH. 

